Ubaya recommends dementia risk detection from age 40

Surabaya (ANTARA) - The University of Surabaya (Ubaya) suggests that the public should begin detecting dementia risk factors from the age of 40 to identify manageable risks before reaching old age.

“The earlier we know, the more we can do,” said Dr Astrid Pratidina Susilo, SpAn, PhD, Chair of the Centre for Aging Wellness (CAW) at Ubaya, during the Alzheimer Awareness Month 2026 series at Ubaya Hospital on Saturday.

Astrid stated that checking dementia risk factors, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, can be performed starting from age 40, while cognitive function examinations can begin when entering the pre-elderly stage or age 45 and above.

“Knowing does not mean knowing that one already has dementia, but rather identifying the risk factors for dementia,” she said.

She explained that dementia risk factors consist of both manageable and unchangeable factors. Manageable factors include high blood pressure, obesity, cholesterol, diabetes, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diets, and social isolation.

Based on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines published in July 2026, up to 45 per cent of dementia risk is linked to modifiable factors. The management of these risk factors is recommended throughout the lifespan.

Therefore, Astrid urged the public not to wait until severe memory impairment appears before paying attention to brain health.

As part of the Alzheimer Awareness Month 2026 series, Ubaya also offers memory screening every weekday at the CAW office from 12:00 to 13:00 WIB.

The activity involves students and staff from the Faculties of Medicine and Psychology at Ubaya. Approximately 95 people have participated in the screening so far.

Astrid noted that the activity is part of the global World Alzheimer’s Month 2026 campaign, themed “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.”

Meanwhile, the Chair of the Centre for Human Rights Studies (Pusham) at Ubaya, Aloysia Vira Herawati, stated that early dementia detection should be positioned as part of the public’s right to healthcare services.

“Early detection of dementia is a fundamental necessity. It is not something we only apply for later; it is a part of our rights as citizens,” she said.

According to Aloysia, individuals entering the pre-elderly stage need to be proactive in inquiring about the availability of early detection services at primary healthcare facilities, including community health centres (puskesmas).

She added that dementia-related examinations could be part of overall health check-ups, so the public should verify whether dementia risk screening is included in the services they receive.

Addressing dementia requires more than just a medical approach.

Consequently, the initiative involves CAW, Pusham, the Centre of Excellence for Food Products and Health Supplements for Degenerative Conditions (PUI-PASDEG) Ubaya, the Faculties of Medicine and Psychology, Ubaya Hospital, Alzheimer Indonesia, the Rotary Club Surabaya Rungkut, and various Ubaya Alumni Associations.

This collaboration encompasses screening, education on risk factors, nutrition, psychological support, and assistance for caregivers of individuals with dementia.

In addition to screening, the series of activities also includes education on activities to maintain cognitive function, including brain gymnastics introduced by Alzheimer Indonesia.